When ill health strikes, most of us choose to pursue traditional medicine, and very few of us go down the route of alternative therapies. The question is, why are these two fields treated as completely separate? In reality, modern medicine and alternative medicine can be quite complementary, so the choice might not be as binary as you think. And you might even be surprised to learn that some of the best outcomes are achieved when the two treatment modalities are combined.
Holistic health, as the name suggests, considers the person as a whole, rather than as a list of isolated symptoms. Here at The Health Suite in Leicester, we provide treatments and medical advice on the principle that these holistic, integrative therapies actually complement modern medical treatment – and in our varied experience, this approach actually improves recovery, reduces stress, and supports long-term wellbeing.
So what is considered an integrative therapy, and how do these work alongside conventional medicine?
Even more, are they actually scientifically valid?
What Is Holistic or Integrative Healthcare?
Your symptoms come from more than just your body, according to holistic health, which recognises a connection between your physical health and mental wellbeing, as well as your emotional state, lifestyle and environment.
Integrative medicine goes one step further than this, bringing together the best of evidence-based conventional medicine with carefully selected complementary therapies.
Now, this doesn’t involve replacing your GP, skipping medication, or rejecting hospital care. Instead, it involves using tools like:
- Massage therapy
- Nutrition advice
- Acupuncture
- Meditation/mindfulness
- Coaching or counselling
- Red light therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Stress-relief techniques (like breathwork or cold therapy)
… to support and enhance medical treatment, not substitute it.
Why Do People Choose Integrative Therapies?
While there are many reasons a person might go down the integrative therapy route, they don’t necessarily all include illness.
After surgery, for example, some people might want to reduce their reliance on medication. Or others could be struggling with chronic health conditions, seeking more natural and holistically informed approaches to wellness.
You can even be in generally good health and still seek preventative, integrative support. That’s because when you use integrative therapies, they can help you manage your energy levels, amplify your immune function, and even surprisingly help you find emotional balance.
Complementary Therapies
Here’s a snapshot of a few popular integrative therapies available through clinics like ours at The Health Suite Leicester and how they can work alongside your GP or hospital care.
1. Acupuncture Pain Relief: When people think of acupuncture, the assumption is that it’s painful since it involves inserting needles into specific points in the skin – but this isn’t the case. The ultra-thin nature of the needle means it doesn’t really register as pain. This ancient Chinese practice has evolved into a respected approach for managing persistent pain conditions.
2. RLT for Anti-inflammation: You’ve probably already heard of Red Light Therapy. It’s becoming more popular online on platforms like TikTok, where people are using red light masks to improve their skin’s radiance and long-term health. Red Light therapy is also known as photobiomodulation, and it works at a cellular level, using low-level wavelengths of red or near-infrared light to gently stimulate the body’s own healing processes. At the current moment, it’s gaining attention for its role in repairing the skin, recovering muscles, and even providing pain relief in the joints.
3. Nutrition Advice & Digestive Health: Nutrition advice, especially functional nutrition, explores how food and supplements can influence your gut health and impact your overall wellbeing. Chronic conditions like IBS and autoimmune disorders, or even fatigue and low mood, have been linked to inflammation or nutrient imbalances. When you work with a registered nutritional therapist alongside your GP, you can uncover these inflammatory triggers and get more supportive treatment plans.
Can Holistic Therapies Support Mental Health Too?
Absolutely. Mental health is one of the most common reasons people seek out integrative support, and for good reason.
Therapies such as:
- Mindfulness and breathwork
- Counselling or integrative psychotherapy
- Massage therapy for stress relief
- Somatic techniques (focusing on the mind-body connection)
… they can all complement traditional MH care, like medication or CBT.
They work to lower stress hormones and regulate the nervous system – and overall, they help you reconnect with your body. This helps you manage anxiety and burnout, as well as symptoms related to trauma.
At The Health Suite, we often see patients benefit most when therapies are layered – blending the clinical with the restorative for long-term mental wellbeing.
What’s the Evidence for Integrative Therapies?
This is a common question, and one we take seriously. While not every alternative treatment is backed by large-scale clinical trials, many complementary therapies now have a growing evidence base, especially for:
- Chronic pain
- Stress-related illness
- Post-operative healing
- Mental health recovery
- Hormonal imbalances
Reputable integrative clinics always aim to work with medical science, not against it. That means:
- Non-invasive and low-risk treatments
- Not using anything that interferes with prescribed medications
- Having an open dialogue with your GP or consultant
- Creating treatment plans based on your full medical history
Your safety, recovery, and comfort are always the priority.
What Makes The Health Suite Different?
At The Health Suite, our approach is always evidence-based, and we offer integrative care that’s patient-led. We have an expert team of GPs, physiotherapists, nurses, counsellors, and specialist therapists – and they work collaboratively under one roof, so your care is safe and grounded in both modern medicine and natural health science.
So if you’re recovering from illness or managing a chronic condition – or even simply looking to feel more like yourself again, our team will support you with compassionate, whole-person care.
Healing – Not One-Size-Fits-All
With the right guidance here at The Health Suite, you won’t have to choose between clinical medicine and natural approaches – you can have the benefits of both. It’s all about tuning into your body and addressing where the imbalances are coming from – while supporting your health from multiple angles: physically, emotionally, and mentally.
If you’re curious about integrative therapy in Leicester or want to explore a more personalised approach to health, our clinicians are here to help.
Click here to view our Complementary Therapies at The Health Suite, Leicester.